Metal protector for graves



May s; 1925. "1,536,658

f C. E. CARR uE'rAL PROTECTOR Fon GnAvzs Fired April 10, 1924 F191. 2 Fly- CHARLESECAI@ Patented May 5, 1925.

y CHARLES n. CARR, or niwivnuoivn, oK1:.iiiioiiir`` METAL PRTCTOR FOR GRAVES.

Application filed April 10, 1924. Serial No. 705,589.

To all whom it 'may concern.'

Be it known that CHARLES citizen of the United States of America, residing at Drummond, in the county of Gariield and State of Oklahoma, has invented new anduseful Improvements in Metal Protectors for Graves, of which the following is a speciiication.

.At present, it is customary to emplo-y a two inch thick plank disposed abo-ve the rough box (which receives the casket) and supported on ledges or offsets in the side walls oi the grave for the purpose ofsupporting the roof or dirt above-the box. However, it has been found that this plank decays very shortly as well as the top of the rough box, in which case the grave y caves in.

The present invention has for its purpose to provide a metal protector or tomb constructed of relatively heavy rolled steel, although other metal may be. used, the protector being arcuate incross section and `adapted to be supported upon a ledge on the sides and ends of the walls of the grave, thereby withstanding the weight of the earth thereabove and preventing caving in.

Another purpose is'` to construct the protector of steel, galvanized to prevent rust or corrosion, and, due to the. metallic construction, such a protector is very durable and` will last for a number of years.

Still another purpose is to provide a device of this kind which is very inexpensive as compared with t-he ordinary steel vault E. CARR, a

\ and, due to its metallic construction, `the body is protected from destruction for years to come and will also eliminate to a considerable degree the upkeep of an ordinary grave.

A further purpose is to pro-vide a protector arcuate in cross section including arcuate endsriveted to the body of the protector with extension flanges to engage the ledge on the side and end walls of the grave, thereby supporting the protector in position. "It is to be understood that the particularsl herein given are in no way limitative and that, while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modications of detail and desired proportions may be made in the apparatus according to the `circumstances.

The invention comprises further features `and combinations of parts to be hereinafter set iorth, claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a sectional view through a grave, showing the protector in position as covering the ordinary rough box.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on line 2-42 of Figure l. i

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the thereon.

Figure 4 is a tector, looking shown in the drawings and perspective view of the proupwardly thereon. Referring to the drawings, l designates the grave which may be of the usual depth and any suitable length, and 2 denotes a ledge which is constructed at a position substantially level with the topof the rough box 3 which receives the casket (not shown). Before filling in the grave, the protector 4 is disposed in position so that the longitudinal iianges 5, which are curved in cross section, may engage the longitudinal portions of the ledge. The cui-ving of the flanges' acts as a means to receive the earth or dirt above and thereby prevent lateral spreading of the protector. Also, since the'flanges 5 are curved, they will tend to bury in the ledge and hold the protector firm.

The protector may be constructed length or any width, made preferably of steel, and galvanized to prevent rust or corrosion. The protector is arcuate in cross section and arches the top portion of the rough box, thereby preventing the earth or dirt above from crushing it in. Furthermore, due to the metal being arched from any the top of the box and relieving the weight upon the top, the top of the box is preserved to a certain extent against decaying or rotting. i

The ends 6 of the protector are of arcuate formation and their curved edges have lianges 7 in sections which are riveted or otherwise fastened to the arcuate wall of the body of the protector. The lower portions of the ends of the protector merge into lianges 8 which are curved in cross section, not only to strengthen the anges but also to receive the deposit of earth to be placed in the grave. These flanges also engage the end ledges V9. The end portions of the Hang-es of the end pieces of the protector engage the end parts of the longitudinal longitudinally protector, looking downwardly portions of the ledges, hence further supporting the protector in position to insure withstanding the weight of the earthV above.

That portion of the grave which receives the rough box is of such a width and length as to leave but very little space between the walls of the rough box and the lower portions O the walls of the grave so as to prevent the ledges from crushing or crumbling in to any great degree.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is: f

l. As an article of manufacture, a Inetallic grave protector, comprising a body having ends, said body being adapted to be positioned to arch over the casket receiving container, the wall ot the body being spaced from the top of the container to withstand the earth thereabove, said protector having a marginal flange upwardly curved in cross section and adapted to engage and rest upon a ledge constructed on the side and end walls of the grave.

2. ln combination with a. grave opening dimensioned at the bottom to rece-ive a rough box and of increased dimensions above the plane of the top of the rough box to the surface of the ground to leave a peripheral ledge in the plane of the top of the rough box, of a cross sectionally arched protector provided at its lower edge with an upwardly curved peripheral flange resting on said ledge, the protector supporting the weight ot the filling earth, a portion of which becomes embedded in and around said flange, precluding crushing of the ledge.

In testimony whereof he aiiixes his signature.

CHARLES E. CARR. 

